Supporting Aspirant Nurse Research Leaders: an UK Pilot Mentorship Scheme

The Academy of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Research (UK) is a partnership of a number of professional stakeholder organisations including the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association (CPHVA). The purpose is to provide an expert collaborative voice for nursing, midwifery and health visiting research in the UK. The Academy has identified five work streams and development and piloting of a mentorship scheme for aspirant nurse researchers is one.
The scheme is underpinned by a set of values that views mentorship as a process, a relationship, and a safe space. It provides self selected individuals (mentees) with an opportunity to forge a professional supportive relationship with a highly regarded and experienced research leader (mentor). This relationship is sustained over an agreed period of time and provides a secure context to examine career goals, aspirations and personal and professional development plans. Hence this scheme aims, through guidance and support, to nurture talented nursing, midwifery and health visiting research leaders of the future. This paper will describe the scheme, the preparation of mentors and discuss findings from the initial qualitative evaluation.